Kartel's book... to be released tomorrow

[Skeng DX]

The cover of 'Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto', Adidja Palmer's, aka Vybz Kartel, first book. - Contributed
It is finally here! Tomorrow (Friday, July 6, Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto, Adidja Palmer's, aka Vybz Kartel, very first book will be released.

Kartel has always said to expect the unexpected. In a statement released in May 2011, Kartel threatened to use the pedestal that 'Babylon' has put him on to fight for his people - 'Ghetto People.' Through this book, Kartel is signalling that the fight for change starts now. He has vowed to and based on Kartel's ability to use his lyrics to gather a following, it will be interesting how this initiative by Kartel will affect Jamaica.

On the cover of his book, Kartel states "I pray this book helps to change Jamaica forever."

manuscript

Vybz Kartel and his co-author, Michael Dawson, completed the manuscript in early summer 2011 and Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto was first copyrighted in the United States on August 5, 2011. The publishers have worked assiduously on getting it right. The release of Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto, Kartel's first book, heralds a new dawn in the history of Jamaica.

It is hoped that this book will lead to discussions on classism, racism and other 'isms and schisms' existing in modern day Jamaica. The objective of Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto is to bring things that are often hidden by the powers that be to the forefront, using the biggest 'Voice' that the Jamaican ghetto has had in years - the voice of the notoriously controversial Vybz Kartel.

Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto tells the "other half of the story that has never been told." A story which Reggae pioneers have sang about - but Vybz Kartel has dared to put it into book form. While Kartel proudly acknowledges 50 years of Independence for Jamaica, Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto boldly asks - "50 years of what for poor people?"

[Islandman]

Is a Malcom X look him a try pull off? LOL!

Incarcerated but not Silenced

Nice sound to it!

[Don1]

A literary tour de force no doubt

A must read for any serious idiot

[Reggaedoc]

Yep. Certainly a must read for his throngs of clowns. The only problem most of them probably can't read. I am sure it is going to be a must-read for students in the Dept of Sociology at UWI. Cooper will make sure of that.

[Bricktop]

Why all the hate?

[Hortical]

Comparing himself to Malcolm X was a bit much, however the hate is way overboard.

[Reggaedoc]

Wait a minute Brick. What about Kartel that you as a well meaning Jamaican like?. His music, philosophy on life, community leadership, philosophy on race while trying to look white?. Seriously, what about this guy is there for a Jamaican of average or above average intelligence to like?.

[Bricktop]

Wait a minute Brick. What about Kartel that you as a well meaning Jamaican like?. His music, philosophy on life, community leadership, philosophy on race while trying to look white?. Seriously, what about this guy is there for a Jamaican of average or above average intelligence to like?.

You need to separate art from reality...Kartel is an artist...an entertainer...an actor...he has risen to the top of his chosen profession...whether you like him or not you have to respect that fact...I am not the "best" in my chosen profession...I am sure you aren't either...an "idiot" could not achieve what he has...

[Reggaedoc]

Bricky, what are you talking about?. Respect someone for being the best in their chosen field, no matter how destructive an influence that person or field may be?. Like respecting Hitler for being a politician, Pablo Escobar for being a businessman, Edward Seaga for being a social engineer, Bin Laden for being a freedom fighter?. How can you separate the man from his so-called art. His "art" is what defines him. Bob Marley never described himself as a civil rights advocate, black philosopher, or politician, but to this forumite he was all that and then some. Our words, deeds, body of work, philosophy define us as much as they define Kartel. No exceptions, no excuses.

[Bricktop]

So actors do not deserve respect for their art? Do you have less respect for Denzel Washington because he played Frank Lucas in American Gangster? Separate the art from the person...Bob Marley sniff coke and was an adulterer...yet you still respect him...I respect what Kartel has achieved in his chosen profession...I may not respect his lifestyle however...

[Reggaedoc]

So you don't know what Bob and Denzel stood or stand for based on the body of their work?. I am sure you do, and most likely respect the persons and their philosophies. My question is simple. What is is about Kartel's achievement in his chosen field that you respect?. His fame, fortune, philanthropy, civic leadership, positive role model for youngsters, promotion of music in schools?. What aspect of his achievement, that is not overwhelmingly negated by his negative overall influence, do you respect?. I understand that you are entitled to your own opinion and entitled to create your own icons but I am want to make sure I am not missing something about that gentleman. He can't claim, without running the risk of being seen as a hypocrite, that he is a promoter of black Jamaican pride or culture because he is the main proponent of skin bleaching. Maybe I just don't get it.

[Bricktop]

I respect that he is the best lyricist/songwriter ever in dancehall history...I respect that he rose to the top of his profession without a major label behind him...against all odds...by himself...with every force in society fighting him every step of the way...I respect that he was able to take shy teenagers to the brink of stardom (Popcaan/Tommy Lee)...he is a true entrepreneur...Danny Trejo is one of the most sought after character actors in Hollywood...he plays a gangbanger...a thug...a pimp in almost every role...yet he is a top 50 sought after character actor...John Malcovich is a Hollywood superstar who plays the most depraved characters on film...separate the art from reality...

[Reggaedoc]

Yeh but brick, which one of them has been charged with the things this clown has been charged with. There is a difference between art imitating life and life imitating art.

[Bricktop]

Yes...but people had the same reaction to Kartel before he was in this latest mixup...

[Reggaedoc]

I know it's sad that people see in him what he can't see in himself. Believing in one's own hype too much can be destructive. Now he could well be facing a prolonged prison term, because there might be others who just don't believe his hype as much as he does. Businessman, freedom fighter, artist, Dj, world boss, promoter, writer, visiting university professor, record producer, and acused murderer?.